‘It’s all about renewables’: hotels need to invest in clean and green energy

The hotel industry is under pressure to invest in renewables and reduce its carbon footprint. Amid a worsening climate crisis, sustainable travel has never been more important to consumers. According to a 2021 Sustainable Travel report by Booking.com, 83% of global travellers believe that it is vital, with 61% saying the pandemic has made them want to travel more sustainably in the future.

The hotel industry is responsible for a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions, and this is only expected to increase as demand for travel continues to grow. To address this challenge, hotels must make a concerted effort to transition towards renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, in order to reduce their carbon footprint.

This will involve investing in new technologies and infrastructure, as well as engaging in more sustainable practices throughout their operations. Sustainability needs to be a top priority for the hotel industry if we are to combat the climate crisis and protect our planet for future generations.

The power of solar

There is no longer any value in simply telling guests that you encourage them to reuse towels if you want to be seen as a sustainable hotel. You need to be investing in renewables, reducing energy consumption and controlling waste. Hotel guests have every right to demand proof that the hotel is really walking the talk when it comes to sustainability.

One of the most promising renewable energy sources for hotels is solar power. Not only does it provide a clean and sustainable source of energy, but it also drastically reduces operational costs by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, with new technologies such as net metering becoming more widely available, hotels can easily sell excess energy back to the grid and benefit which supports hotels in an ongoing journey towards greater energy and water efficiency.

Having a commitment to sustainability will help your business not only save money, but also attract new customers. Many corporate and conference requests for proposal (RFPs) now include questions about the hotel's sustainability measures. By making the switch to renewables and investing in more sustainable practices, hotels can stay ahead of the curve and thrive in today's changing travel landscape. So let's all do our part to make sure that "it's all about renewables" for hotels. After all, it’s good for business and good for the planet!​​

Technology can help deliver a more sustainable future.

Not only can investing into greener hotels improve the environment and customer experience, but it also delivers economic benefits. Siemlus, with its global technology partners and growing supply chain, is bringing together the most thought-provoking technologies and services to help deliver a unity of green solutions covering all areas of a building inside and out.

Sensor lighting, metering upgrades, demand-controlled ventilation with occupancy sensors, and integrated heat recovery systems are all energy efficient innovations that can help reduce emissions. Additionally, incorporating an energy efficient building management system can also lead to lower emissions levels.

We aim to use the most up-to-date clean energy technology in the construction of new hotels with our partners, with the goal of sharply reducing the energy usage. This will not only financially benefit operation of the hotel, but also guests who care about carbon emissions, and be good for the environment overall.

In some instances, there is no incentive for the builder to design the building using efficient technology, which can then make it more difficult for those in asset management and operations when the hotel starts running.

Incorporate sustainable practices into all your business dealings.

Sometimes, the smallest changes can make the biggest difference for our planet. Not only do big changes unlock energy savings - even small-scale modifications, like installing mini bar fridges or high performing air conditioners, can have a positive effect without compromising guest comfort.

You don't need to make globally-recognised changes to benefit the environment — even small, local eco-enhancements help. For example, some hotels are using key cards made of recycled wood and coat hangers made from pressed paper or receipts.

Siemlus works extensively with clients, vendors, and subcontractors from start to finish to guarantee that all phases of the Energy IT and Technology are delivered as intended and function.

Once you have made those small changes we can work with you to develop a plan across all services for your property, such as Combined Heat & Power Systems, EV Car Charging, Solar Photovoltaic (PV) & Thermal, FreshAir Systems, HVAC, Fibre Networks & Leased Lines, Lighting & Lighting Controls. This is all provided by our nationwide engineering network.

So if you're looking to go green, start small and aim for continuous improvement. Every step counts when it comes to protecting our planet for future generations!​ We must all do our part to support the move towards a more sustainable hotel industry that is powered by renewable energy sources and committed to reducing its carbon footprint.

Many hotels are now taking the initiative to reduce their ecological footprint by producing clean energy with rooftop solar panels and working with renewable resources where possible. It's not simply about reducing costs for sustainability, it's doing what is right.

Siemlus is a one-of-a-kind service integration and management (SIAM) firm formed by a group of IT technology, network, procurement, and funding experts who joined together to help clients envision, design, purchase, and implement green energy technology infrastructure and solutions for the current hospitality sector today as well as the future.

Get in touch with the Siemlus team to see how we can help you plan for hospitality sustainability. We can start small, but little changes can add up to make a big difference. Siemlus is helping other businesses to do great things in sustainability. We've been motivated by how often businesses help each other out when they're looking to be more sustainable and improve the experience for their guests, as well as do good for the environment.